Abstract The purpose of this article is to study and analyze the methods and forms of applying the motivational opportunities of pedagogical games in the process of studying Russian speech, in particular the Russian language in non-linguistic higher educational institutions. Methods: developing the topic, the author relies on the work of teachers and psychologists (G. Lozanov, S. Ostrander, L. Schroeder), as well as a number of works by modern authors. The methodology of the article is based on the effective use of various modern pedagogical approaches in the study of the Russian language as a foreign language. Results: on the bases of synthesis and analysis of the motivational components and properties of cognitive games used in the Russian language classes in non-linguistic universities the main tasks and problems of enhancing the cognitive activity of students and improving the methodology of teaching a foreign language are identified and considered. The practical significance of the article lies in the possibility of further application of the main provisions and conclusions both in psychological and pedagogical activity, and in the educational process.